Toy parachute



June 3,' 1947. c. A. HoRNBE-CK TOY PARACHUTE Filed' June 15, 1945 2 Sheets--Sheeil ATTOR NE T5 June 3, 1947. QA, HQRNBECK` 2,421,618

TOY PARACHUT Fired June 15, 1945 z'sheets-sheet 2 @www @Mw A TTOIINEYS Patented June 3, 1947 ,'gUNlTED STATES latin-:rrr OFFICE Charlie A. Hornbeck, Chandler, Okla.

Application June 15, 1945, Serial No. 599,602V

4 Claims. (Cl. 46-86) This present invention relates to a top parachute 'which is launched into space and opens up during its downward flight.

The main object of the invention is the pro- Vision of a toy parachute having means for shifting the center of gravity to a position near the point where the launching force is applied and lowering the center of gravity to a position of maximum stability prior to and substantially coincident with the beginning of the downward night.

It isa further object of the invention to construct a toy parachute that affords amusement to children and adults, is safe to handle and launch and is of simple, sturdy and inexpensive construction.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed in the appended claims and illustratedv in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of my invention in closed position and prior to launching;

Figure 2 is a central diametrical section through the web of the same with dotted lines showing the web inflated;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the parachute in inilated position, the two bulbs being shown in section;

Figure 4 is an enlarged central, diametral section;

Figures 5 and 6 are transverse sections on lines 5 5 and 6 6 respectively of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a detail section on line 1-1 of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a central diametral section through the lower end of the handle and the bulb attached thereto in collapsed position;

Figure 9 is a side view of the ipper for launching the parachute.

In the drawings in which like reference characters designate like or similar parts, numeral 2 (Figure 4) indicates a hollow tube, preferably of Celluloid or other suitable material, which has an enlarged portion or head 3 at the upper end. This head has a peripheral groove 4 the plane of which intersects at right angles with the axis of the tube.

A hollow head bulb 5 has a substantially spherical main portion 6, a contracted neck 'l extending downwardly therefrom, a shoulder portion 8 formed at the lower end of the neck and a flange 9 integral with the shoulder and extending inwardly therefrom into the groove 4. The bulb is preferably of rubber or other elastic material tending after collapsing to resume a hollow shape. The flanges are secured' in the groove to the tube by any suitable means such as cementing or Vulcanizing,

The portion of the tube adjacent the top end and bulb is provided with an annular ilange IU serving a purpose which will become clear as the description proceeds.

Below the ilange is a peripheral groove II formed in the outer surface of the tube and serving as a seat for a ring I2 to which the upper marginal circular edge of the web material I3 is secured by any suitable means such as sewing or cementing. The web has substantially the shape, when inflated, of a hemisphere and consists of a plurality of hemispherical segments I4 the upper ends of which are secured to the ring and the diverging side edges of which are secured to the corresponding edge l5 of the adjacent sections.

Each intersection of the free edge line with the line at which adjacent sections are joined is connected to a string IS the other end of which is attached to one of a corresponding plurality of eyes I1 which are secured in the manner of a ring and in vertically spaced relation to the tube. When the parachute is inflated their strings form angles of about with the axis of the tube.

The lower end of the latter has an enlarged portion I8 similar to the enlarged head described and provided with a groove 4 for the flange of a bottom bulb 5 which is a mere substantial duplicate of the corresponding construction of the top end of the tube. The bottom bulb resembles in shape the bulb at the top of the tube, and has the same interior volume, but is shorter and of thicker material. The shifting of the center of gravity is controlled by the vacuum which develops upon the expansion ofthe originally compressed lower bulb and the collapsing of the lighter upper bulb and takes a certain time depending on the bore of the tube and the difference in strength of the bulbs.

The water W used for lling either bulb and part of the handle tube weighs about fifty percent of the total weight of the parachute.

Figure 9 shows the flipper I9 for launching the paracute to be a flat resilient steel rod with a longitudinal notch 20 in one end which receives the portion of the handle tube beneath the flange I0. The water in the lower bulb is squeezed into the upeper bulb (Figures 1, 8) while the bent iiipper is held under tension, as seen in Figure 1. If the grip on the lower bulb is released, the parachute impelled by the stress of the flipper describes a parabola and after it has reached the highest point in the same, the web will open under the influx of air. After the launching of the parachute, the water begins to ow downward into the bottom bulb and displaces the center of gravity which initially was located near the ring I0 where the force of the flipper is applied. (Figures 3, 4.)

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings in its specic details, I desire it to be understood that these details do not constitute a limitation of my invention, but form mere examples thereof, and that changes or modications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims. A

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A toy parachute rcomprising a hollow rod carrying a collapsible bulb at the upper end and another collapsible bulb at the lower end, abutment means for launching cn the rod near the upper bulb, an umbrella-like web secured to the rod near the abutment means and open at the lower peripheral margin, means secured to the margin in spaced intervals and attached to the rod for limiting the extent of opening, a liquid filling the lower bulb, and a flipperrod for engaging the abutment means.

2. A toy parachute structure comprising a frame including compressible -Ineans for shifting the center of gravity of the structure, abutment means on the frame, an umbrella-like Web on the frame opening downwardly, means between the frame and web for limiting the opening of the web, and flipper means for engaging the abutment for launching.

3. A toy parachute structure comprising a frame `including compressible means for shifting the center of gravity of the structure, abutment means on the frame, a web on the :frame opening downwardly, flexible means between the free edge of the web and the frame yfor limiting lthe opening of the web and reinforcing the latter,

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in 'the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name `Date 442,931 Young Dec. V16, 1890 833,504 Brillhart Oct. 16, 1906 1,108,596 Manson-Olin Aug'.f25, 1914 

